My six best albums- Ruthie Henshall

RUTHIE HENSHALL, 45, is the star of West End musicals including Oliver!, The Woman In White, Chicago and She Loves Me, for which she won an Olivier award. On TV she appeared recently in CBBC’s Wizards Vs Aliens, out now on DVD

PUBLISHED: 00:00, Fri, Jan 4, 2013

Ruthie Henshall discusses her favourite albums

JONI MITCHELL: Both Sides Now

(Warner)

I went to see Joni Mitchell at Madison Square Garden in about 2000 and was amazed at her wisdom – a lot of the songs such as Both Sides Now, were written when she was very young. I love how orchestral her songs are now. There’s something beautifully old-fashioned about her stuff.

KATE BUSH: The Kick Inside

(EMI)

I grew up on Kate Bush because my twin sisters were mad about her. I was getting into literature and the story of Wuthering Heights broke my heart, then she wrote a song about it. She was so different. She sang about everything from poisoning to people going off to war. And I loved her arrangements.

CAROLE KING: Tapestry

(Sony)

An iconic album that still stands up today. I heard her interviewed and I don’t think she realised how much it was going to catch on. This is a woman who can sit at a piano and make you feel. I often sing Carole King songs. It’s Too Late is every person’s perfect break-up song.

CHOIR OF KING’S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE: Fauré’s Requiem

(EMI)

I’ve never spent a lot of time listening to classical music, but a boyfriend years ago played me this and I was sold instantly. It’s epic, beautiful, spiritual. The sound of the choir is glorious. It confirms there’s a heaven. And it’s rather fun to hoover to!

I adore these boys, and this includes Shine and Patience

TAKE THAT: Beautiful World

(Polydor)

I adore these boys, and this includes Shine and Patience. Gary Barlow can do no wrong for me. I always thought they were good, if a little cheesy, but there’s nothing cheesy about them now. They’re showmen, and they brought the music up to date with a bang. Wow, if you’re going to come back, this is the way to do it.

ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA: A New World Record

(Sony)

ELO sums up what I love about music – a big sound. There was an old concert of theirs on television recently and you’ve never seen bigger hair in your life! But they were all playing these incredible instruments. When this comes on the iPod, it’s a big old party.